This time last year I was in Sumatra. The photos above were taken on Christmas Day in a small restaurant on Lake Toba. I wish I could remember this lady’s name, who agreed to cook me a full chicken in the back of her house using nothing but a bucket of hot coals. Earlier in the day I was taken to a place that served pig’s blood for my Christmas lunch. I really loved Sumatra, especially the hospitality of the Batak people. Indonesia is one of my favourite countries, and I hope I can go back soon.
Right now I’m home in Northern Ireland visiting my family and friends who I (unbelievably) haven’t seen in three years. I don’t really like bucket lists as my plans change all the time, but here are some places I’d love to visit in 2015.
Have a Happy & Healthy New Year / 明けましておめでとうございます
Kashmir Valley // Including Leh & Ladakh in North India. The hill station of Srinagar is often referred to as the “Switzerland of India.”
Pokhara, Nepal // Just because somewhere is well-trodden doesn’t mean it loses travel points. The second largest city in Nepal, Pokhara is the starting point for most treks in the Annapurna region. The jewel in the Himalaya.
Palawan, Philippines // Named best island in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. Has the longest underground river in Asia, with the opportunity to travel through a subterranean cave system.
Komodo Island // Indonesia has been my favourite country to travel in so far, and I want to go back. I’d love to see the largest lizard on earth for myself.
Timor Leste // A country that has been niggling away at the back of my brain for a while now. Very little tourism infrastructure but pretty much unspoiled.
Brunei // Stupidly missed out on seeing Brunei years back when I visited the Sabah region of Borneo. Cheap AirAsia flights to either Kota Kinabalu or Bandar Seri Begawan may make it possible.
